Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-29
4 DRAW GAME.

diamond which adorned the little finger OF
his left hand sparkle. Mr.. Johnson's was
an aristocratic hand, slender and white, for
the possession of which he was indebted to
some remote ancestor whose name was not
Johnson. Gentleman was stamped upon
every feature of his calm, clean-shaved, ex-
pressionless face. Scoundrel," by some
unaccountable omission on the part Of ma
ture, was not written there. His features.
though well-shaped, were small.
After time he desisted from his occupa-
ton of absently covering the blotting pad
before him with tiny ink dots, and rising
abruptly took up his position on the hearth
rug, with his back to the fireplace.
He was tall man, slimly built, with a
well poised head and square shoulders
and as the light fell more strongly upon his
face it was noticeable that his eyes-which
were blue and very closely set together
were clear and guileless as little chiids.
He found those eyes very useful upon occa-
slon-useinl beyond the ordinary use OF
eyes. They We're eyes that could look
straight into yours while their owner was
connecting, or relating, statements or Incl
dents which might be absolutely false.
They had had good deal Of practice. He
was 30 years old, and during all his life he
had never yet told the truth when a lie
would do as we'll.
The glib !alsehood flowed from his tongue
with a smoothneSs and air of truth which
would have deceived, and did deceive, the
most wary and suspicious of the fascinating
,Iohnsou's friends and associates.
In the eyes Of the commercial world Mr..
Johnson was a rich man. In the eyes OF
his confidential clerk and himself his firm
was tottering on the brink Of ruin. Nothing
short Of miracle could save il, and Edgar
knew that the days of miracles were past
He was evidently thinking deeply as he
stood there on this May afternoon His
forehead was contracted-his thin. well-cut
lips pressed closely together. Suddenly an
Undesirable agitation passed over his feat
ures, accompanied with culver slight and
fieeting as the trembling of a calm lake
stirred by some passing breeze He add
vanced quickly towards the table and
touched small bell which stood thereon.
A clerk entered the room.
Saunders. hansom.h
Yes, sir, and the door closed again.
Mr.. Johnson got into his light overcoat.
drew on his gloves in the calm, gentle
manly manner in which he did most
things, took up his hat and stick, went
down stairs, and leisurely entered the han
som, which he directed to certain house
in James street In a few minutes the
hanson stopped at dingy ground-f floor
office in James street The most prosper
Gus firms sometimes carry on their opera
tons in the dingiest of offices. and the firm
of Levi, Dorrell & Co" brokers and ship
owners, bore this out faithfully. 1t was a
very prosperous firm, and had during the
past year made some very lucky specula-
lions.
Mr.. Johnson, having instructed the cab
man to wait, threaded the tortuous maze Of
passages which led to the sanctuary where
Levi & Co. transacted their mighty bust
ness and made their piles of gold. He
handed his card to the sunny looking clerk,
and after minutes delay was shown into
the room where, in attitudes of conscious
wealth and power, sat the senior partner,
Mr.. Levi, and his colleague, Mr.. Dorrell.
Mr.. Levi was short, stout, dark, with the
features OF bis race, and an eye which in Il
horse would have been called wicked"
Mr.. Dorrell was also dark, but tall and thin,
well-sbaped and gentlemanly. The third
occupant of the room seated at distant
desk in q corner, was a Mr.. Skimp-pre-
sumably the Co" He was, however, a
mere echo OF the two senior partners, and
never appeared to take any active part in
the business of the firm. He did not even
look up as Mr.. johnson entered, but went
on writing with very audible quill pen.
Mr.. Levi and Mr.. Dorrell were rather
impressed by the manner and bearing of
their visitor, who had an air of deferential
yet dignifed courtesy which told in his
favor al once. His voice, as he remarked
upon the chillness of the weather for the
season OF The year had silvery high bred
tone which was not the least striking OF
his many charms, The partners were sur
prised to learn that he was only a cotton
broker. After a few preliminary remarks
in which, as his name calling and place OF
business were chiefly concerned, Mr.. John
son did not find it necessary 10 employ his
inventive talent-be proceeded 70 enter
into particulars of his projected business
with Levi q Co.
Il understand, Mr. Levi" he said, with
his clear blue eyes fixed upon the glitter
ing mono ile' which added luster and
,fficacy TO Mr.. Lewis left eye, that you
prtnt advances upon cargoes in transit, q
shipped IN your vessels. | think" he con-
tinuei Geprecatingly, ! need not mention
the position my firm holds in the mercan-
tile world but, ike many Others in these
times. my capital is locked up to degree
which prevents my extending my business
Quite SC" assented Mr.. Dorrell
blandly.
Quite So said faint, echo-like voice
from the corner desk.
Mr. Levi bowed slightly, and indicated 6
wish that Mr. Johnson should proceed
Mr.. Johnson crossed one leg lightly over
the other, and went on
Il have been in the habit of shipping
cotton from Alexandria by the vessels oI
Jones & Co. but if you gentlemen can see
your way to make me the necessary adj
vances on cargoes, propose transferring
my business to your firm. At present
have 2,000 bales of cotton ready TO ship
here from Alexandria, for which | want an
advance of 62O,000. This only, of course
on vour receipt of the usual bills of lgding
from Alexandria: and" with a courtly
bow, SHOULD you desire to make any in
quiries regarding the standing of my firm
etc. trust that You will find all thing:
satisfactory"
1--WE know your firm well by reputation
MIR. Johnson said Mr.. Levi, though We
have not had the pleasure of knowing you
personally until to-day"
Then" said Mr.. Dorrell, after due in
Quiries-which in your case, Mr. johnson
are mere matter of iorm-we shall bC
pleased to make you the required advance
on receipt OF the iOFflai olllS Oh ihuills
from our agents in Alexandria
Mr.. johnson lowed gracefully and took
his departure.
That night Mr. Johnson had important
business which detained him III his private
office until the small hours of the morning
He was writing; not IN his usual rapid and
continuous style, but laboriousiy and halt
ingly. Had you STOOD behind his chair fol
a second YOU would have seen that he wa:
carefully copying a signature, which read
thus: Abdul Pinero" He spared nc
pains with his work, and it was long aftel
midnight when he leaned back in his chaii
and Inspected the result of his labors with
keen scrutiny and critical approval. Th'
imitation was perfect. 1t had been {
troublesome signature to copy. Abdul hat
an awkward trick of spreading the capita
p backward and entwining it round hi!
Christian (2) name in style which wa
rather ticklish thing to initiate; but
was not too tcklish for Edgar Allen John
son-few things were. Having locked thi'
precious document, with duplicate-ant
also the genuine bill of lading from which
he had copied the fundamentally int
his safe. he tore up and burned the yar1ou
spoiled and smeared sheets of letter pape
which iav about the floor Then he turne'
out the lights, locked the doors, and wen
down stairs.
As he walked along the almost deserte'
Ia i